She stood facing the water, the waves crashing on the shore. She had run outside after their argument, the tears still staining her cheeks.

He never seemed to understand her fears. Her fear of being left alone, her fear of not having love, and especially her fear of being consumed onto another person, of losing herself again. It was this last fear that pushed her, that made her lash out.

She shivered as the cool ocean wind blew through her, her hair whipping around her face, the salt stinging her skin. She drew her fingers up to her face and pushed the hair out of her eyes, as she turned to walk down the beach.

The wind kissed her skin, and the goosebumps appeared again as she rubbed her arms, trying to warm them. She should have put something else on, taken her time to find something warmer. But in her haste, another of his criticisms of her, she had grabbed the dress lying on the chair. The whiteness of it was like a beacon in the moonlight, and the gauzy fabric whipped around her legs.

She continued to walk down the beach, curling her toes into the sand, moving closer to the water as she walked, until finally the water was lapping at her ankles, the coolness easing the soreness of her feet.

As she walked, she thought back over their argument his biting words, hers lashing back. She had raced from the house in an attempt to run away, but she knew she�d have to go back, to finish what had been started.

She jumped when she heard the thunder, not having realized the storm had rolled in. She looked up from the water to see the storm approaching, faster than she could possibly outrun it. She turned back to the house, tucking her skirt up, knowing she would be soaked when she arrived back.

He had watched as she ran from their bedroom, knowing what had brought on the disagreement, and wishing she�d understand that he knew what her fears were. But he had been unable to just let it go. She needed to learn that he was not the other men in her life, the ones who had caused the fears and deep distrust, and such a need for the independence she craved, yet to be held close. He knew he�d been harsh with her, but she had been cruel with her biting remarks.

He stood watching her from the window, knowing she was crying, yet still too angry to go to her, to give her the comfort he knew she wanted. He decided instead to go downstairs, start a fire and make her favorite cocoa. He smiled as he thought about how she was always feeling cold, and knew that after their argument, she�d be even more so. She was so open with her emotions, and he knew she�d be shivering.

It was as the flame licked the logs that he heard the sudden crash of thunder. He looked up to see if she had come back, knowing she was still out on the beach. He shook his head as he thought of her fear of thunder, knowing she�d be back quickly.

The time passed shortly between the crashes and she still was not inside. He walked to the sweeping porch and searched for her, waiting for the next flash of lightening to reflect off her white dress. The sky lit in a flash of white and blue with a resounding crash and he spotted her, still too far off to make it back before the sky opened upon her. He knew she�d be wet through when she arrived back, and quickly climbed the stairs, returning with towels and a robe he�d found in the closet.

She watched the storm blowing around her as she quickly walked back to the house, she knew she�d be soaked through when she returned, but she didn�t really mind. It was the thunder that she minded, jumping with each crash and rumble. The rain came all at once, the sky opening in a torrential flow, soaking her in seconds. She continued at the quickened pace, silently cursing herself for not paying better attention to the subtle changes in temperature and wind.

She arrived back at the house, dripping water from her entire body. He stood on the porch watching her as she climbed the stairs and his temper softened. She was so child-like at times, and this was just such a time, the water dripping off her nose, standing before him, totally unaware that her dress had become transparent in the rain.

She looked up at him, her hair a dripping mass of red, and her hand swiped at the water dripping off her nose.

�I�m sorry� she whispered.
His answer seemed rough to her ears.
�Are you finished thinking for me?� He wrapped her in the towels he had warmed by the fire as she silently nodded her answer. As he pulled her to him, he lifted her head with his fingers,
�Keep your head up� he whispered against her forehead
�Why?�
�Because it�s the right thing to do.�

He pulled her into the house, noticing how she flinched with every thunderclap. He dried her hair, and then removed the tissue thin dress, wrapping her into the robe he�d warmed for her. She leaned into his shoulders, sighing as the warmth surrounded her. Slowly, he led her to the fire he�d prepared, setting her in front of it, and then bringing her the cocoa he knew she loved. Slowly, she leaned back against him, feeling his warmth through her clothes. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him as he breathed in her scent. There was something delicious about the way she smelled, and he knew he would never forget it.

The fire crackled and snapped before them, the glow illuminating them, adding to the warmth surrounding them. She snuggled into his arms knowing she was safe there, knowing he would never let anyone or anything hurt her. Softly, he began to sing in her ear, his breath caressing her neck and she shivered from the goosebumps he caused. He smiled gently and pulled her tighter to him, knowing she would always be a part of him.

�Just rest your head, my lamb,� he crooned.

Her eyes fluttered shut, her head leaning back against his shoulder as she sighed, the tension leaving her body.

�How is he able to do this to me?� she thought to herself, �I feel so safe, so protected.� Her body relaxed, giving way to the sleep she so longed for. The day had taken its toll on her, wearying her from the battle that had gone on.

It was peaceful to have her there in his arms, a peace he hadn�t felt in a long time. He stared into the fire, wondering how he had let her into his heart. He kept all the women he had known out, how had this one crept in so silently. He kissed her head, drawing her closer; as he pulled her to him, she turned in his arms, resting her head on his chest. He continued humming to her, as she slept in his arms, letting his head drop to hers, resting there, his body finally relaxing, until he too slept.